In creating consumer financial regulatory agency, there are no guarantees
In the debate over how to structure a new regulatory agency to protect consumers of financial products, history offers a lesson:

Alan Greenspan's flawed analysis of the financial crisis
Rarely has a public figure's reputation suffered a reversal as dramatic as Alan Greenspan's. When he left the Federal Reserve in early 2006 after nearly 19 years as chairman, he was hailed as the "maestro" and credited with steering the country through numerous economic shoals. Four years later, his policies are widely blamed for fostering the 2007-09 financial crisis. Now Greenspan is offering ...

'Money 911' is an all-encompassing financial tool
This uber-personal finance guide sweeps the financial landscape from dealing with debt to paying for college to saving for retirement.

Bernanke Says Public Shouldn?t Pay to Wind Down Financial Firms
March 22 (Bloomberg) -- Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said any mechanism to dismantle firms deemed too big to fail must avoid disruptions to the financial system while imposing costs on shareholders and creditors, not taxpayers.

Senators set for fight on financial reform
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The tactics Republicans deploy as the Senate Banking Committee begins hashing out new rules for financial products, banks and derivatives on Monday could signal whether a bipartisan bill will emerge.

Govt offers financial aid after Ului
The federal government has extended financial help to Queensland communities affected by Cyclone Ului.

Sigma May Sell Assets to Pay Down Debt, Financial Review Says
March 22 (Bloomberg) -- Sigma Pharmaceuticals Ltd. may sell assets, including the Herron brand of painkiller products, to help pay down debt, the Australian Financial Review reported, without saying where it got the information.

Debate on financial reform ? Our view: Plans to fix credit rating agencies deserve a C-minus
Our view on financial reform: Plans to fix credit rating agencies deserve a C-minus Only a new business model can end fundamental conflict of interest. Before buying a book, you might check out the reviews to help decide whether it...

Farmers Planning to Abandon CBH Group, Financial Review Says
March 22 (Bloomberg) -- Farmers in Western Australia are planning to abandon grain handler CBH Group as early as October after an attempt to install directors that support a corporatization of the company failed last week, the Australian Financial Review reported, citing unidentified sources.

Moly Nears Spinifex Ridge Finance Pact, Financial Review Says
March 22 (Bloomberg) -- Moly Mines Ltd. is close to securing $500 million in debt finance for the development of its Spinifex Ridge molybdenum project in Western Australia, the Australian Financial Review reported, without saying where it got the information.

Senators to square off over financial reforms
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate Banking Committee will begin hammering out new rules for the financial system on Monday, two years after Bear Stearns' collapse ushered in the worst financial crisis in decades.

Republicans plan broad attack on financial reforms
WASHINGTON, March 22 ? A wide assault on a plan by Democrats to overhaul US financial regulation is planned by Republicans for today as a Senate panel begins drafting a much-disputed bill, documents obtained by Reuters show. About 300 amendments from Republicans will seek to weaken or kill key provisions of legislation that was unveiled on March 15, after months of informal negotiation, by ...

Business Calendar: Financial tips being offered to college-bound
Bryan Bradford of HBW Insurance and Financial Services Inc. hosts a program on setting students up for maximum college financial stability as part of Evening with an Expert, a series of free community educational seminars, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Two Brothers Coffee, 423 W. Main St. in Brighton.

Financial seminar set
Augusta The Center for Prevention and Counseling will host a financial management seminar on Wednesday, March 31 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Trico in Augusta.

IRS offers assistance to unemployed and those with financial difficulties
The IRS is taking additional to help people having difficulties meeting their tax obligations because of unemployment or other financial problems.

Obama tells Congress: Act soon on financial reform
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. needs major changes to its financial system so consumers are better protected, banks fortified and the economy safeguarded from sliding into another Depression, President Barack Obama said Saturday.

REGION: North County community colleges see uptick in financial aid requests
Although a recent study found that California community collegestudents were missing out on as much as $500 million in unclaimedfederal financial aid, officials at MiraCosta and Palomar collegessay their students are applying in droves.

Fight on financial reform
WASHINGTON - THE tactics Republicans deploy as the US Senate Banking Committee begins hashing out new rules for financial products, banks and derivatives on Monday could signal whether a bipartisan bill will emerge. Republicans are expected to offer hundreds of amendments to a bill being offered by the panel's Democratic chairman, Senator Christopher Dodd, Senate aides said.

Pension Woes May Deepen Financial Crisis For States
From Connecticut to California, pension funds for public employees lack the funding they need. A recent report from the Pew Center on the States put the tab for unfunded pension liabilities at $452 billion. The debacle could threaten the financial solvency of some states ? and taxpayers are on the hook.

Workshop focuses offers financial strategies
HTG Investment Advisors Inc.?s final Financial Focus workshop of the winter series, ?Investment Strategies for Uncertain Markets,? is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, at the HTG office in New Canaan. This workshop will be led by principals Tom Gnuse and Robin Sherwood.